Sea Buckthorn is a hardy, deciduous shrub native to Central Asia and specific European regions, and now grows in North America. The shrub often grows from 6 to 20 feet in height, and is often found in high sandy ground, along riverbanks or in mountainous areas. The Sea Buckthorn plant produces tart fruit, yellowish-orange in color that is collected in the late summer. Sea Buckthorn has a rich history of use, having been used for more than a millennium in Indian and Tibetan medicine systems. In fact, it has been called a "wonder plant" in many Asian countries, while some cultures have deemed it a "holy fruit": the fountain of youth in berry form. In addition to supplements, Sea Buckthorn berries are eaten as food and used to make jams, juices, purees, pies and other food items.

In recent years science has verified that Sea Buckthorn berries contain 190 different nutrients including high concentrations of antioxidants and fatty acids, including omega-7 (palmitoleic acid). The berries also contain carotenoids, tocopherols, flavonols and phenolic acids.